Arrival

So far, everything we hoped for. John picked all of us up at the airport: Roger and Chris came in from their trip in Maine and near DC and we all arrived about the same time at Heathrow. Without missing a beat, we fell into our "routine." Lots of good conversation, food and wine. Yesterday, after arriving in Stevenage at about 9:00 a.m., we took a short nap and then had lunch got settled in. Roger and Chris joined us for dinner and we all got caught up on recent adventures. Today was devoted to a bike ride around Stevenage, during which we sorted out any difficulties we might have with the bikes on our trip. After a wonderful breakfast of eggs and backn,we walked to Roger and Chris's house, which we hadn't seen yet. They moved to Stevenage in November upon their retirement. We adjusted seat heights, pannier brackets and mirrors (we're in the wrong side of the road here!) and took off for a test ride of the area. It does take some getting used to riding on the left. The method we settled on was a Brit in the front to lead and a Brit in the back to make sure we conformed. We stopped at a local pub for a delicious lunch, and Beverly and John returned home so that Beverly could make an afternoon appointment. We continued riding with Roger and Chris to try to work off some of the fabulous meals that we've already had. Last night's dinner was slow roasted lamb, buttered potatoes and flat beans. Today's lunch was a giant baked potato (known here as a "jacket potato") filled with tuna salad. We rode by their daughter Issy's house and managed to see Steve, Georgina and Danny just as they were leaving for the afternoon swimming lesson. A relaxing couple of hours in the kitchen was followed by venison meatballs and cauliflower rice. (Note to ski trip group: much better than Ruby Tuesday's Creamy Mashed Cauliflower.) Tomorrow is London. Our plan is to go to the British Museum (I want to see the Rosetta Stone. Shawna will get this.) then, Bev's sister has gotten us tickets to see Private Lives at the Gielgud Theatre. Life is good.